Peaceful ways

Only one word could describe the atmosphere on Mt. Olympus: madness. Every God and Goddess was nervous and worried about what was to come. No one knew why they were gathered, but there was something very bad. The last time the red smoke was used, was in the war. Everyone was going crazy, everyone but one person: Zeus. He sat calm on his throne waiting for his brother. He did not give any explanations to the other Gods; he would let his brother do that. While waiting for Hades, he remembered the Great War. He would never forget the eyes of his father. Zeus should had killed Cronus that day, but he couldn't. When he saw his father defeated, he felt sorry for him. He knew that his father was once a good creature, but the curse of power came upon him. So, instead of ending his eternity, he chose to let the Titans live, in the only place that equals death: the depths of Tartar. This is why Zeus was the king of Gods. He swore to himself that he would never let that curse to came upon him, no matter what would happen. But know he was starting to doubt his younger decisions. They found a way and they will raise again. Gods and mortals will have to face a great threat and this time they might not be so lucky.

"Darling...don't worry. Everything will be alright. No matter what, I will be by your side, remember?" Zeus looked at the person who spoke those words: Hera. The only Goddess that he ever loved. He always wondered how could she love him? After all he did to her? He betrayed her many times, and he knew she was hurt, but she would never show it. She was a true queen.

"I love you!" Hera was surprised. Zeus hadn't said those words for a very long time and it wasn't in his nature to express himself.

"I just...I had to tell you...no matter what comes remember that I love you." Zeus couldn't take his eyes from his wife. He should have told her those words every day. Hera came closer to him whispering I know and after that she kissed him. Zeus could see the tears in her eyes. In that moment he promised to himself that he will find a way. He will end the war that was coming towards them.

At that moment black mist formed and Hades made his entrance in the Great Room. He looked tired and worried. He noticed his brothers and sisters. Everyone went silent. He took his place on the Death Throne, on the right of his brother. Poseidon was sitting in his Oceanic Throne, and Zeus was on his Sky Throne. Hades took one big breath and as he was starting his speech he heard a scream.

"HERMES! PUT ME DOWN RIGHT NOW!"

"Come on Seph, it is fun! Plus your mother said we have to get here fast, hasn't she?"

"Then why didn't you take her in your arms?!"

The two young Gods attracted the attention of the crowd at the most inappropriate time. Hermes took a step back, and Persephone was focusing on a special place on the ground.

"CHILDREN! Wait for me!" Demeter was rushing to the Great Room. "Ow...here you are...good, good!"

Hades was very angry at this point. "Children?! Hm...since I already know Hermes, you have to be Demeter's daughter! Well, you came at the perfect time! Come here 'Seph'!" Hades was trying to teach that girl a lesson.

Persephone had no choice. She walked towards Hades and now everyone was waiting to see what will happen.

"My dear sisters and brothers, look what we got here! A defender of Titans! You think I forgot our last meeting?!" He was looking straight at Persephone. "Oh nooo! I did not! And I have great news for you Persephone. The Titans found a way out! They started to weaken the locks, so I guess your wish came true now. You will be able to see them very soon and most probably you will join their side. After all you are Cronus' granddaughter." Hades was sarcastic all the way. Unfortunately the other Gods were not amused. They were scared. This was the news: Titans were almost free!

"And you are his son! What difference does it make?" Persephone found her courage to speak. He would not let Hades talk to her like that. Sure, he had bad news, the titans were coming, but it wasn't her fault.

Then Hades did something nobody expected. He started laughing and asked Persephone:" are you brave, or are you just a fool?"

Hades was going mad. Everyone in the room believed that. How could he laugh? A war was about to start. But then a second laughter appeared. It was softer and belonged to a young woman.

"Maybe I am a bit of both!"

Demeter did not understand what just happened. A tragedy would happen and her daughter was laughing with death itself. Probably she should not allow Persephone to take care of plants for a while, because some cause mind diseases and who knows what her daughter ate.

"Everyone silence!" It was Zeus turn to speak. "Since all of you know why I gathered you here, we must come with a plan! We have to stop them before they escape! So….any ideas?"

At this point, everyone was talking. Ares proposed to prepare an army, Poseidon was about to summon ocean's beasts, Athena was thinking of making traps and Aphrodite...well, she was just looking in a mirror fixing her make-up.

"What about a death potion?" It was Persephone's idea.

"Death potions work only on mortals! Gods and Titans are immune. You should know that, Earth's daughter!" Hades was smiling while talking with her. There was something about this girl…

"Hm...you got a bit old Hades! There are potions that weaken Gods. And certainly there are potions for Titans as well."

"Have you discovered any?" Hades was curious. He never heard of those potions.

"NOOOO! NO! Persephone don't even think about that!" Demeter suddenly knew her daughter's plan.

"But mother! It might work! And there would be no war!"

"No war?!" Zeus was curious "Talk child!"

Persephone went in the front of the crowd and started to tell Gods her plan. "While I was traveling with my mother, I found a book that mortals would classify as black magic, and one of the potions was supposed to take away one's power. It would kill a mortal, but also it would reduce a titan to the power of a mortal. In this way we don't have to kill the Titans, only to take their powers."

The plan was brilliant. Zeus wanted to avoid a war and this was the best choice.

"And can you make the potion, child?" It was Hera's question.

"Yes and no…I can make it, but I need a certain plant: death claw."

The problem was that this plant could be found only in Underworld and no God was allowed there. It was the curse of Cronus. Hades was the only one that did not get the curse because he was the first born, and in consequence he had to rule the Underworld. If Gods would step in the Underworld their powers would fade, for as long as they would stay there and it would take a while to regenerate.

"But what if….the curse only applies to us, not to our children. And since Hades doesn't know how to collect that plant, and since he needs an earth Goddess for help...we can send Persephone there." Those word belonged to Hera.

"What!? My daughter in the Underworld?! Are you mad sister?! NEVER!" Demeter would not allow that to happen.

"Mother! Trust me! I can do it! There is no other way….do you really want to start a war?"

"Demeter, please! Listen to your daughter. It is the only way!" Zeus was pleading to Demeter.

"So this is the plan...my daughter goes in the Underworld...makes the potion, gives it to Titans, and comes back?"

"Yes, this is the plan." Zeus was hoping she would agree.

"Persephone, I can't stop you...if you really want to do this….then I agree."

Everyone was cheering. They were saved. No war. This was a great idea and nobody would fight. Peace would be restored once more without any victims.

"Great! Well, we have to celebrate! So there will be a feast tonight before Persephone leaves!" Zeus was hoping everything would be fine, and if not...at least they could all be together one more time, for a one last feast.

Everyone was leaving to get ready for the feast. "Daughter...I will meet you home" Demeter was worried, and right now she wanted to think if she took the right decision. The only person left in the room was Hades.

"Are you sure, Persephone? Underworld might not be the best place for you..." Hades smile faded as he was getting closer to her.

"Worried for me Lord Hades? Don't worry. I don't plan to stay there forever." He seemed genuinely concerned and Persephone did not expect that from him.

"Hades, not Lord...from now on call me Hades…we will meet tonight at the feast." And then he left.

What are the fates preparing for me? Persephone asked herself

The night of the feast came and Persephone entered in the Great Room with her Mother. She packed some of her things and the items for the potion, as well as a sword that he received from Ares. She was wearing dark robes that Artemis gave as a present and two silver bracelets from Athena. Before the feast Aphrodite insisted to fix Persephone's hair and make-up and right now she was looking like a true Goddess. This thing was notice by most Gods in the room.

"Hey, Hermes! Is that little Seph? How comes you never tried to….you know..." This was Apollo. Famous for his conquests and right now he was focusing on a new target. He saw her at the meeting. She was a real beauty. The only problem? Demeter was her mother. She would never let him close to her precious baby.

"Apollo! Please...she is like a sister to me...I have to admit...a very charming sister, but still."

Suddenly both young Gods felt pain cause by a hit on their heads. It was Hestia.

"Boys! Do not dare to do something stupid tonight! The poor girl has a great mission ahead so don't disturb her, or I will personally take care of you."

In this time Hades heard their conversation. He was hiding in shadows as always and his main focus was this young girl. He had to admit she was no longer a child, but a young woman. And she certainly was beautiful. Suddenly he was happy she would stay with him for a while. He never had company in the underworld and this girl was certainly something different.

"May I have this dance?" It was Ares. He, as well as the others, was not immune to Persephone and tried his chance.

"Of course Ares!" Persephone never attended a feast on Mt. Olympus and she would happily dance with everyone. Unfortunately Ares was an awful dancer and a horrible partner. The only thing he did was only to talk about himself. Luckily she was saved.

"Do you mind if I step in?" she would know that voice anywhere: Hades

She looked at Ares and he approved. He was probably going to search Aphrodite anyway.

"Thanks" Persephone whispered as Hades put his arm around her.

"Don't thank me so soon...I might not have noble intentions either." Hades sneered.

As he said that he lowered his hand on her back and pulled her closer. At this point Persephone could feel his muscles and smell his scent. He was intoxicating.

"Hades..." she didn't know what was happening with her. When she met him first, she hated him a little, then she feared him, hated him again and now...now she was intrigued by him. Those blue eyes seemed to pierce into her soul.

"Let's play a game...Seph." He was in a good mood.

"What game, Hades?" Persephone started to feel more comfortable in his arms.

"Lean into me and put your head on my chest" he whispered in her ear

"What? No...it would be inappropriate. I am not like Aphrodite! Is that your opinion about me? Because if it is you can find the death claw alone!"

She wanted to leave but he held her close. He was stronger than she believed.

"Seph...your mother is there. Don't you want to annoy her a little? And I would never think you are like Aphrodite. Unlike her, you do have a mind and you use it."

She stared at the man in front of her. She liked pranks and two could play this game. So she got closer and put both her hands around his neck and whispered "I believed you didn't like my ideas...Hades"

This girl had no idea what she was doing to him. He didn't plan to dance with her, but when he saw her with Ares...he just couldn't help himself. Hades was a good dancer, but he avoided feasts most times. So what was different tonight? "You would be surprised to know what I like, little Persephone."

Right now they were almost embracing one another. For the ones around them it looked like a very intimate moment and most had no idea what it was supposed to mean. Hades never displayed and emotion towards a woman. Of course he had a few nymphs from once in a while, but he was not known for his private life. He was respected and no one would question him. Unfortunately, or fortunately, since that was their plan, Demeter noticed the two of them too. Of course, a bit later than the others. She did not know how to react. First her daughter was laughing with death and now she was dancing with it! Something was completely wrong, but Demeter refused to make a scene. She would act normal. After all it was only a silly dance. Nothing more. But Hades would not let Persephone go, and her daughter was a willing victim. I have to stop this madness now! But how?! Hmm, I know- Demeter had a plan. She sneaked behind Apollo and with a simple, but effective incantation, she destroyed his musical instrument. The music stopped and the two dancers started to laugh. Soon, everyone else joined them. The plan worked perfectly.

"Ow Demeter! Dear sister, you will never change, will you? Always the protective mother...don't worry. I would never hurt your precious daughter." Hades smiled then whispered to Persephone "not without her consent, of course…" At this point Persephone felt her face surrounded by flames and to hide her embarrassment she lightly hit Hades' shoulder. Demeter understood it was only a joke and sighed with relief.

"Enough! It is time for them to start their journey." Zeus wanted to solve this matter as hurry as possible. There was no time to waste. Not anymore.

And so Persephone said good-bye to her relatives and to her dear mother. Demeter started to cry and between sobs she blessed her daughter and threatened Hades.

"My dear daughter, may the Fates be with you! If you will be in danger remember everything I taught you and use the power of Earth. And, AS FOR YOU BROTHER, never think to prank me again. If something happens to Persephone I will personally make you a permanent inhabitant of the Underworld!"

"Mother!" Persephone tried to hide her embarrassment once more.

Hades invoked his chariot, helped his new partner to get in the chariot and said his good-byes to relatives. In the next moment they were flying over the fields of Greece and Persephone tried to memorize everything for a last time. There was a part of the plan that she didn't tell to anyone and she was sure she might not come back. One tear strolled over her cheek and then she heard Hades telling her to hold on. They were gone.

A daughter of light entering the darkness. An ironic event, indeed.

Ok, so here it is a new chapter...I am sorry it took that long but my computer lost all data and I had to rewrite it...ANYWAY, many of you know the original story where Persephone is taken away by the 'evil Hades', but I wanted to give it a twist, so in my version not only she goes willingly, BUT her mother approves! Dun Dun DUN! Hope you like it and don't forget to review! Your humble writer, Tori.